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Wheelchair soccer for Panhandle kids
Posted: 04.03.2011 at 7:41 PM Updated: 04.04.2011 at 12:50 PM
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PAMPA, TEXAS -- Kids in Pampa played a game of soccer, but they moved the ball around in a different fashion.
For the first time kids limited to wheelchair mobility had the opportunity to play in a wheelchair soccer game.
Wheelchair soccer came from the idea that all kids should have the same opportunities.
"I do have a daughter that's in a wheelchair and I see these other kids and able bodies that get to go and participate in other sporting activities. By creating an event like this we're able to get all kids involved -- able bodies and not. Everybody just comes and they all participate in a wheelchair -- I have extra wheel chairs for them," said Brad Pingel, Wheel Times Inc. President.
Several volunteers of all ages helped out and proud parents and friends of the community came to show their support.
"Emma my daughter has always wanted to be right in the center of stuff and wants to be just like any regular four-year-old. She really thinks she's a part of everybody cause she's upright. She's like all sports so she's pretty pumped," said Staci Garcia, Pampa Mom.
Being part of the team for Emma was just the beginning -- she also wanted to look the part.
"She told me she had to have the special soccer shoes and that she might sweat so she needed some sweat bands," said Garcia.
Instead of a regular soccer ball there was a 48 inch blow-up ball to help everybody avoid any kind of injury.
The game allowed players to kick and pass the ball as long as they didn't carry it.
They hope to have more games in the future as well as events like track meets and softball games.